ROCKFORD — Fast-food workers braved chilly and rainy weather today to show support for higher wages, part of an international day of protests that support raising the minimum wage.

The strikes and protests took place in more than 150 cities across the country, and protests also happened in 33 additional countries. Workers are calling for a minimum wage of $15 per hour and the right to form a union without retaliation.

The campaign started in New York City in November 2012, backed by the Service Employees International Union, according to The Associated Press. McDonald’s workers in several states filed lawsuits against the fast-food chain earlier this year seeking back pay and other damages.

Denzel Baldwin of Rockford works at the McDonald’s near Auburn Street and Central Avenue, but joined some of his co-workers at the restaurant near North Main Street and Riverside Boulevard earlier in the day to protest. They shouted chants such as “We can’t survive on $8.25” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, poverty wages have got to go,” and several passing vehicles honked in support of the group.

Baldwin, 23, has worked at McDonald’s for about a year. He started off being paid $8.25 per hour and now makes $8.40 hourly.

“We need more money to provide for our families,” Baldwin said. “We’re making (McDonald’s) billions of dollars each year, and we’re not knowing where that’s going.

“I love my store, and I love my customers. I love working there. It’s just not enough pay. To do all the work I do and be so versatile, I’m not getting enough money.”

About a dozen people protested during the morning event, and another strike/protest took place during the afternoon at the Auburn-Central store.

Critics of the campaign say raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour could actually hurt employment, causing layoffs and raising prices for food and merchandise across the board. The Associated Press said McDonald’s in a statement noted that the actions were not strikes and that outside groups “traveled to McDonald’s and other outlets to stage rallies.”

President Barack Obama supports raising the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour.

Deidra Knox, 19, of Rockford was nervous about protesting her employer today at the Main-Riverside restaurant. The job is her first, but she has dreams of entering the health care field one day.

“It’s just not enough pay to live on, to pay rent and pay for food and for transportation,” Knox said.